Disappearing stairway

ABSTRACT

A disappearing stairway to be mounted in a ceiling over the floor of the room, and having a surrounding frame extending about the opening in the ceiling from which the stairs are suspended, to be folded up into the frame in a retracted position or extended to the floor below. The parts are made of metal throughout, preferably aluminum, for lightness in weight and sturdy construction. Channel members are used to form the sides of the stairs, with tread members extending therebetween. Each of the channel side members has a depending foot member adjustably connected thereto to assure of disposition of the stairs at the proper angle regardless of ceiling height. The stairs are suspended from one of the frame members by a hinge located between the upper and lower edges thereof so as to dispose the stairs in full retracted position above the bottom edge of the opening. A door panel may be provided beneath the stair side members to close the opening. Provision is also made to provide a finished edge around the opening by a flange on the frame member. A spring is connected with a toggle link at one side of the stairs to facilitate closing.

[451 Aug. 26, 1975 DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY Phil Skolnik, 13131 Almeda Rd., Houston, Tex. 77045 [76] Inventor:

{22] Filed: Jan. 14, I974 [21] Appl. No.: 432,841

[52] U.S. Cl. 182/78 [51] Int. C1. E06C 9/00 [58] Field of Search 182/78, 77, 204, 194, 228,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 242,799 12/1946 Switzerland 182/81 1,308,210 9/1962 France 182/204 Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Almrne Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker & Mathis 1 5 7 ABSTRACT A disappearing stairway to be mounted in a ceiling over the floor of the room, and having a surrounding frame extending about the opening in the ceiling from which the stairs are suspended, to be folded up into the frame in a retracted position or extended to the floor below. The parts are made of metal throughout, preferably aluminum, for lightness in weight and sturdy construction. Channel members are used to form the sides of the stairs, with tread members extending therebetween. Each of the channel side members has a depending foot member adjustably connected thereto to assure of disposition of the stairs at the proper angle regardless of ceiling height. The stairs are suspended froni one of the frame members by a hinge located between the upper and lower edges thereof so as to dispose the stairs in full retracted position above the bottom edge of the opening. A door panel may be provided beneath the stair side members to close the opening. Provision is also made to provide a finished edge around the opening by a flange on the frame member. A spring is connected with a toggle link at one side of the stairs to facilitate closing.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUBZ 61975 SIZIU 1 BF 3 PATENTEDAUBZEIQYS SO 1 ,135 F FIG. 7

DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to improvements in disappearing stairways of the character adapted to be located within a ceiling opening and to provide stairs to the floor below.

Various attempts have been made heretofore to provide disappearing stairways, but for the most part these have been complex of structure, expensive to manufac ture. difficult to install, heavy in weight and also have objectionable folding characteristics.

One object of the invention is to simplify and im prove the construction of disappearing stairways and to overcome the foregoing objections encountered with prior devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide for the construction of the stairways of lightweight, inexpensive material, such as aluminum, and to utilize standard shapes and forms for this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to improve the appearance of the ceiling areas containing the disappearing stairway so as to assure not only that the opening will be substantially closed in a neat appearance, but also to provide for a finished effect thereto.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of the invention, by providing a surrounding frame of such size and shape as to fit within a ceiling opening and to be secured to joists or frame members enclosing the opening. An extendable stairs comprises opposite side members of channel shape with interconnected tread members secured thereto. The stairs are in sections of a suitable length and disposition so to be capable of folding within the frame or extended to the floor below. The lower ends of the side members have feet members secured thereto by adjustable fastenings so as to assure proper angular disposition of the stairs. The upper ends of the stairs are connected by angle members to brackets secured to the outer face of one of the frame members in such position that the stairs will be retracted fully within the frame and above the lower edge thereof. A hand rail extends along one edge of the stairs, preferably being of rolled tubular construction, such as aluminum. Toggle links control the downward swinging of the side members of the stairs and one of these has provision for retaining the spring in place, which acts to assist in the return of the folding stairs to a retracted position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS This embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disappearing stairs and showing a portion of the joists or framing therefor;

FIG. 2 is a cross section therethrough on the line 22 in FIG. 4; I

FIG. 3 is a side elevation ofthe stairs in retracted position and showing the frame and surrounding structure in section;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section through the stairs in extended position;

FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view, partly in section, showing the connection of the tread members with the side rails;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing parts at the opposite side of the stairs;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the mounting of the side members in the frame; and

FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view of the spring supporting means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 4, the disappearing stairs are adapted to be mounted in an opening formed in a ceiling l, which opening has surrounding frame members, such as joists 2, that are parts of the building construction and which support the disappearing stairway.

Mounted within the opening is a surrounding frame comprising a back supporting member 3, a pair of side supporting members 4 and a front supporting member 5, which are securely fastened together in any suitable manner and are of such size that the peripheries thereof fit snuggly within the opening enclosed by the joists or framing members 2. Suitable fastenings may be used to retain this frame in place, such as bolts 6 (FIG. 7).

It is preferred that the framing members 3, 4 and 5 be provided with enlarged flanges on the lower edges thereof, indicated at 7 in FIG. 7 and which overlaps the crack between the framing members and the ceiling 1, thus giving the finished effect. This flange 7 can be of any desired shape and may resemble a strip of molding around the opening.

The stairs are indicated generally at 8 and include side members 9 which are shown as channel-shaped, with the open sides of the channel facing each other and connected together by tread members 10. These tread members may also be formed of channel shape, as appears more in detail in FIG. 5, and be secured by any suitable fastenings, such as those indicated at 11, to the channel-shaped side members 9, abutting directly against the inner faces of the latter. The upper surfaces of the tread members 10 are sufficiently wide so as to form step surfaces.

The lower ends of the side members 9 are provided with foot members 12 telescoped in the channel side member 9, to be adjustable with respect to the length thereof and secured thereto by fastenings 13 extending through aligned holes in the webs of these respective members. These foot members 12 assure of the stairs being set at the desired angle for ease of operation according to the height of the ceiling above the floor.

The stairs 8 are shown as made in three sections, capable of folding one upon another, as indicated in FIG. 3. The sections are hingedly connected together at 14 and 15, respectively, so as to be folded in proper relation to each other.

The upper ends of the side members 9 are provided with hanger members 16 secured thereto and extending into overlapping relation with brackets 17 mounted on the inner face of the back frame member 3. Hinge pivots, interconnecting the members 16 and I7, are indicated at 18. The disposition of these pivots is such that the stairs will be withdrawn to a retracted position substantially flush with the lower edge of the frame or the bottom of the opening, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 6.

If desired, a door sheet 19 can be secured to the underside of the stairs by suitable fastenings through the flanges of the side members 9 so as to substantially close the opening beneath the stairway when the stairs are in folded relation, as will be clear from FIG. 3. This door panel may be of any suitable material, either metal or wood, such as plywood, wallboard or the like, or an aluminum sheet.

Extending along one edge of the stairs within convenient reach of a person walking up or down the latter is a hand rail 20. This hand rail may be made of suitable tubular material, such as rolled tubing for convenience of grasping and comfortable use. Brackets 21 connect the hand rail 20 to the side of the adjacent member 9.

lnterconnecting the uppermost section of the stairs with the frame are toggle links 22 and 23. Each of these is pivoted at one end to one of the side members 9 and at the opposite end to the frame side members 4 at the inner faces of the latter. The toggle members also have a folding joint intermediate the lengths thereof so that the sections of each toggle member can fold with respect to each other, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 6. The toggle link 23, which has one end pivotally connected with the adjacent side member 9, has the opposite end portion extending into overlapping relation with the inner face of the frame side member 4. This end portion of the toggle link 23 is pivoted at 24 adjacent the last mentioned end of the toggle link, but spaced from the extreme end thereof.

The pivot 24 connects the toggle link with a T-shaped bracket 25 secured to the inner face of the adjacent side member 4. The upper end of the toggle link 23 above the pivot 24 has a laterally turned saddle, indicated generally at 26, formed on the extreme end of the toggle link and which saddle is above the pivot 24. As shown in FIG. 8, the upper end of the toggle link 23 is bent laterally at right angles and cupped upwardly to form a concave seat for the spring.

A bracket arm 27 extends laterally from the toggle link 23 below the pivot 26 to a desired point toward the front end member of the frame. This arm 27 is secured rigidly to the toggle link 23.

An elongated helical spring 28 is connected at one end with the outer end of the bracket arm 27 and extends upwardly therefrom at an angle and over the saddle 26 toward the back frame member 3, thus longitudinally of the frame, as will be apparent from FIGS. 1, 4 and 8. The back end of the spring 28 is anchored to a bracket 29 adjacent the back frame member 3, but in this embodiment is shown as attached to one of the side frame members 4. The arm 27 is below the saddle 26 and thus deflects the forward end portion of the spring 28, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 8.

The stairs are normally maintained in the retracted positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. When it is desired to lower the stairs, it is merely necessary to grasp the front edge of the door panel 19 or the front end of the upper section of the folded stairs and pull downward. These stairs will then swing about the pivots 18 to the lower position. The sections of the stairs may be unfolded so that the lower end thereof will sit upon the floor below the opening, substantially as indicated in FIGS. 1 and 4. This unfolding of the stairs will cause the spring 28 to be tensioned and it will be pulled over the saddle 26 with the lower front end of the spring at an angle to the main length thereof. By this arrangement, the pull of the spring is caused to bias the aligned hanger members or toggle links 22 and 23 in the proper direction for the subsequent retraction of the stairs.

Substantially all of the parts of the stairway may be manufactured of lightweight, inexpensive material, such as aluminum, thus providing a lightweight construction that will fit readily into the ceiling opening and yet be of inexpensive construction and sufficiently sturdy for the purpose. The parts thereof are concealed. It may be adjustable as to height to accommodate different height ceilings. A safety handrail is made available to assist persons using the stairway without the bulk and weight of wooden handrails. It is completely assembled in a compact relation and properly balanced, not only to be readily assembled in the ceiling opening, but is capable of being individually enclosed within a carton for ease of shipment and handling.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A disappearing stairway comprising a surrounding frame having front and rear ends and adapted to be mounted in an elevated position, stairs toward the rear end of the frame for pivotally mounting one end of the stairs on the frame, dual bracketing means extending from the rear end of the frame inwardly to a pivotal connection with the hanging means for affording movement of the stairs to an extended position with respect to the frame and to a retracted position above the lower edge of the frame and means for supporting the stairs including a toggle link pivotally connected at one end with the stairs and having the other end extending in overlapping relation with the surrounding frame, means pivotally connecting the toggle link with the surrounding frame spaced from said other end, an arm extending laterally from the toggle link and having one end of the spring connected therewith, and a saddle formed as a unitary fact of said other end of the toggle link and spaced from the pivot thereof and extending inwardly toward the stairs for supporting the spring intermediate its ends.

2. A disappearing stairway according to claim 1, wherein the bracketing means includes brackets mounted on the inner faces of the frame and extending inwardly in a direction parallel to the plane of the frame, and the hanging means includes hanger members fixed to the upper end portion of the stairs and oriented to locate the lower edges of the stairs entirely above a plane extending through the lower edges of the surrounding frame when the stairway is raised, the hanger members being rounded at the ends connected to the brackets but otherwise rectangular.

3. A disappearing stairway according to claim 1, wherein the stairs comprise opposite side members of channel shape with the open sides of the channels to ward each other, tread members of channel shape extending between the side members with the opposite ends of the tread members extending into the channelshaped side members, a plurality of elongated, C- shaped enlargements opening into the interior of the channel of each tread member and extending along the length thereof in a direction perpendicular to the side members of the stairs, the enlargements presenting generally C-shaped apertures at the ends of the tread members, and a plurality of removable fasteners extending through the side members into the C-shaped apertures to connect the tread to the side members, each of the tread members having an upper step face.

4. A disappearing stairway according to claim 1, wherein the saddle is formed on the other end of the toggle link above the pivotal connection with the frame, one end portion of the spring extending from the saddle to the frame, and the opposite end portion of the spring extending from the saddle to the laterally extending arm at an angle to the first-mentioned end portion of the spring when the stairway is in a lowered condition.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENTND. 3,901,353

DATED August 26, 1975 |NVENTOR(S): Phil Skolnik It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is hereby corrected asshown below:

Column 4, line 31, delete "fact" and substitute part Arrest:

HARRY F. MANBECK. JR.

Arresting Oflicer Commissioner of PGIEIIIS and Trademark; 

1. A disappearing stairway comprising a surrounding frame having front and rear ends and adapted to be mounted in an elevated position, stairs toward the rear end of the frame for pivotally mounting one end of the stairs on the frame, dual bracketing means extending from the rear end of the frame inwardly to a pivotal connection with the hanging means for affording movement of the stairs to an extended position with respect to the frame and to a retracted position above the lower edge of the frame and means for supporting the stairs including a toggle link pivotally connected at one end with the stairs and having the other end extending in overlapping relation with the surrounding frame, means pivotally connecting the toggle link with the surrounding frame spaced from said other end, an arm extending laterally from the toggle link and having one end of the spring connected therewith, and a saddle formed as a unitary fact of said other end of the toggle link and spaced from the pivot thereof and extending inwardly toward the stairs for supporting the spring intermediate its ends.
 2. A disappearing stairway according to claim 1, wherein the bracketing means includes brackets mounted on the inner faces of the frame and extending inwardly in a direction parallel to the plane of the frame, and the hanging means includes hanger members fixed to the upper end portion of the stairs and oriented to locate the lower edges of the stairs entirely above a plane extending through the lower edges of the surrounding frame when the stairway is raised, the hanger members being rounded at the ends connected to the brackets but otherwise rectangular.
 3. A disappearing stairway according to claim 1, wherein the stairs comprise opposite side members of channel shape with the open sides of the channels toward each other, tread members of channel shape extending between the side members with the opposite ends of the tread members extending into the channel-shaped side members, a plurality of elongated, C-shaped enlargements opening into the interior of the channel of each tread member and extending along the length thereof in a direction perpendicular to the side members of the stairs, the enlargements presenting generally C-shaped apertures at the ends of the tread members, and a plurality of removable fasteners extending through the side members into the C-shaped apertures to connect the tread to the side members, each of the tread members having an upper step face.
 4. A disappearing stairway according to claim 1, wherein the saddle is formed on the other end of the toggle link above the pivotal connection with the frame, one end portion of the spring extending from the saddle to the frame, and the opposite end portion of the spring extending from the saddle to the laterally extending arm at an angle to the first-mentioned end portion of the spring when the stairway is in a lowered condition. 